Ice box



Aug. 24, 1926.

BENNETT ICE `BOX Filed May 6. 1924 Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

entre o@ STATES GEORGE L1. BENNETT; or' onnvlnzeLenin'lrinrc'frrr'aI ono;

r`Ien Appii'cationlnieanay c,

My invention relates-1th` Licef boxes,l and more particularly to-an ice box in which a large suppl'v office may be-storedlin a maiincr thatwill have noeiiect in coolingarticles in the refrigerator, means beingprovided whereby aportion ofthe ice thusbeing stored may beseparated-rom 'the remainder and Yclelivt-iread to an` icing' compartment where air will circulate about same land throughout they retrigerating chambers, so astopreserve the contents ofthe'ice boX. y l'lcietotore, in'sinall'ice boxes or refrigerators, a-single icinglcompartment has been provided, `the capacity of' Vthis 3 compartment being proportitmeditok the size ofthat of the ice box or rerigerat'or.Y Insuch ice boxes the entire contentsof` the ice boxl was exposed to the relatively higher temperatures ott' the air throughout Vthe ice boxand -to "still warmerlair each; time-v that access was had to tlie ice box.

Fromthe' standpoint ofV the economical distributionl ot ice by the manutacturen or dea-len such ice-boxes involve consider-able expense, owingtoV the necessity for frequent Aicing-'s in smallqiiantities.- Furthermore, in

such ice boxes, calce Iice only co-uldbe used.

In an y ice box embodying my' invention, I

provi dean icing compartmentiin communication with otherpa-rtsoii'A the icebox` or refrigerator so as to have the-usualeffect ofV causing ice therein-to bring 'all pla-rts of the refrigeratortoV theV desired lowy temperature well above the freezing point oi".- water, and .also-a5 storage cham-ber normal-ly seafled in relationitofsaid ice compartment, butcapable otbeing; placed in communication therewith.- in manner to .permit the housewifeY toice the 'ice-compartment ro'msaid storage chamber,l n d The storage chamber mayy beso formed-'as to' receive either broken ice'or cake'ice, a mechanism beingprovided whereby, when 'the desire-d bulk ot ice-hasbcendelivered to the ice compartment from the-storage chamberfthe ice sodelivereolmay be separated from any remaining ice Ainthe storagechamber as an incident to the closing ot them-cans ot communication between lsaid chamber said compartment.-

The construction of ithe, fice box of my invention-is such that theiice withinthe storage chamber will not be subject-to the action ot circulating air,thusf materially reducing the-shrinkage off this icethrough melting, the' storage conditionsbeing similar to those BOX.

1924. Serial No. 711,314..v

of theiice' in an ordinary ice house, andthe loss` throughshrmkage'being little greater tha-nthat which-is incident to the storage ot ice in such houses.

To-avoid-lilrelihood ofthe gate -closingthe 1 communicating passage between the `ice storage chamber Aand the icing compartment being accidentally lett open, I preferably provide automatic closure means fornsaid gate which, however, will become operative only afterl there has been anA effective separation-ot aportion'ot the ice and its deliverymto the icingv compartment.

T-he invention consists primarily in an ice box embodying therein suitable storage chambers for provisions',` an `icing compartment-for maintaining the desired low temperaturefinsaid chambers, a storage chamber ot relatively greater capacity than said icing compartment and' positioned above same, `means ytorming` a passageway by whichfsaidstorage chamber communicates with saidicingfcompartment; a slidab'le gate adapted to close fsaid passageway, and separate vice delivered to lsaid icing compartment from thatcontained in said chamber, and means actuating-said gate; and in such other novel-features ot construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claimsheretoappendech Referring to the drawings,

Fig. l is a Vertical sectionthrough anice box-adapted to receivebroken ice, embodyingmy invention :FigagQ is asimilar View showing the construction `of the ice storage chamber to adapt it for the receipt of calce ice, and the cleavage of cakes so as to permit a portion only of the cakes to be delivered to the icing compartment y i l-ig.` 3 is adetail'view of the hand wheel for actuating the gate closing the passage between the storage chamber and the icing compartment i Fig-.a 4, is a detail view otthe gate used in V`Fig.- 5 is a `tragmentary, cross-section of the lupper part ot the ice box shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the ratchet spring construction-tor preventing movement of anice cake,

or cakes with the gate after an entire calce of ice` has passed i from. the f storage chamber to the icing compartment,

v`Liflre' letters refer `to like parts throughout the 'severa-l views.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, a indicates the housing of an ice box or refrigerator of the usual and Well known insulated construction, and provided with any desired arrangement of provision chambers Z; toward the bottom of the housing. Communicating with said chambers Z) is an icing compartment c which may be so constructed as to be adapted to receive either broken ice, as shown in Fig'. l, or piece ice, as shown in Fig, 2. This compartment c is arranged adjacent the provision chambers in the usual manner, and is of a capacity to maintain the desired lowl tem perature Within these chambers.

At (Z I have shown in dotted lines, an ordi nary drain pipe leading from the coinpartment c.

Above the uppermost chamber I) and the icing compartment c is a partition c having an opening therethrough at f through which ice may enter the compartment o from above.

The partition c has a slideivay formed therein at c adapted to receive a cut-off gate g, the edge of which presented toivard the opening 7 is equipped with a shearing blade consisting of a bevel for reducing the edge thereof to what may be termed a knife edge. either with or Without spikes for separating or cleaving a body of ice in the path of movement of this gate g While lifting the portion of said ice from Within the gateway to Within the storage chamber.

` The partition c forms a storage chamber i in the upper part of the housing a, which chamber may be placed in communication With the icing compartment c through the opening bythe movement of the gate g. If this chamber t is to receive broken ice, it will have converging bottom Walls as shown more particularly in Fig. l, While if it is designed to receive cake ice, the partition c will form the bottom of this chamber so as to permit the utilization of the gate g for successively moving cakes of ice in relation to the opening f With the gradual exhaustion of the supply of ice in lthis cham` ber h.

The top of the housing a is closed in any desired manner, as by the hinged top z', for the purpose of facilitating the chargingof either broken or cake ice to Within the storage chamber 7i;

'The partition e at one side of the opening f has a socket therein adapted to receive the sliding gate g and seated Within this socket and acting against said gate are compression springs having a` normal tendency to close the gate, and capable of completing the closure of the gate in the event of a temporary clogging thereof by a small piece of ice at the forward jamb for this gate indicated at e2. l

The gate g is provided on the underside thereof with a rack 7c co-operating With a pinion 7s carried by a shaft extending beyond the front Wall ofthe housing a and having secured thereto a hand Wheel m by means of which the gate may be actuated against the tension of the spring j. Preferably provide the shaft carrying the pinion it" and Wheel m with a linger n which will co-operate with gauge marks upon the front of the ice box so as to indicate Whether the gate isvopen or closed.

ln the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2,v the forvvard'edge of the gate g is provided withV stiletto picks o for causing cleavage of a piece of ice from a larger cake, ln this form of the invention, Where the one or more cakes of ice rest upon the gate g, there is likelihood of the opening movement of this gate causing a movement of the cake of ice iinmediatelyabove the opening f, away from said opening. To correct this condition, provide the flat spring ratcliets p secured to the side Walls of the storage chamber h and in engaging relation with the sides of the cake of ice, thus restraining movement thereof with said gate.

In using an ice box of my invention, the couditionswill be substantially as follows Referring to the form of the invention shown in Fig. l, broken ice is delivered to Within the storage chamber 7L through the open top thereof until this chamber is filled. lV hen the top is closed, there will be no circulation of air in this compartment, so that shrinkagethrough melting of ice will be reduced to a minimum. Under normal conditions the passage is closed by the gate g. When it is desired to fill the icing compartment c, or replenish the supply of ice in that compartment, it is merely necessary to use the hand wheel m to impart movement to the gate Within the socket in the partition e against the tension of the spring j, thus permitting the ice to enter the compartment c until this compartment is completely filled. lVhen the fcompartment is filled, the hand wheel m is used to reverse the movement of the gate g assisted by the spring or springs j, the forward knife edge of said'gate cleaving its Way through the massief ice and raising a portion thereof above the gate so as to restore it to Within the chamber h. In the event of 'an incomplete closure ofthe gate, by reason of its 'obstruction by a small piece of ice, the spring j Will continue to act in a manner to ensure the complete closing of the gate as the ice melts', 'or is moved from its position.

perature existing Within the ice box, entering the storage vchamber L. l In` the form of the invention shown in Fig; 2,th'e conditions are the same as here-` tofore described, with the exception that fcalre iceis usedinstead of brokenice, so that asthe gate g is opened,a calze otice will descend through the opening ,t'tothe ullestextent permitted by they clearance inthis chamber. Hencevunder ksomeconditions ay cake of ice will extend across the opening f inthe path ot` movement otr-the gate Ir/, in which 'the' passage 7 where it may descend to within 4ltheicing compartment o. The ratchet springs `'will prevent movement vota cake-otl ice `with the gateg during the opening 'movement of said gate.

'meanest an icebox embodying myfinrention, i am `ernibled to secure -not only economy by reason of {the saving otllabor -dueto 'the requirement 'lori but infrequent filling otlthe storage chamber 7L, butalso economy to the `extentv that the compartment c may alwaysbe v-iilled to approximately its in'aximum Vcapacity and thus secure at fall vtimes the effective chillingof the air within the ice1 box andavoidthat loss duetto the Jlrise ottemperature in a box resulting trom insuiiicicnt volume of ice in the icingcomipartment. i

it is apparentthat the detailed construction ot the housing L is immaterial to the invention, and that thedetails ot construction shown in the accompanying drawings may be widely varied withoutr departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

l. in ice bo-x embodying therein suitable storage chambers for provisions, an icing compartment for maintaining the desired low temperature in said chambers, a storage chamber for .ice oit relatively greater capacity than said icing compartment and positioned above same, means forming a passageway by which said last named storage chamber communicates withv said icing compartment, a slidable gate adapted to close said passa'i'eway, and separate ice delivered to said icing compartment trom that contained in said storage chamber for ice, and means actuating said gate.

2. An ice box embodying` therein suitable storage chambers for provisions, an icing compartment for maintaining the desired low temperature in said chambers, a storage chamber for ice of relatively greater capacity than said icing compartment and positioned above same, a partition between said icing compartment` and said last namedstorage chamber having a passageway by which -said storage chamber :for 'ice communicates @withy said 1icing f compartment, a slidewayiin saidlpartition, a .gate mounted infsaid slide way having a bevelled forward edgefsaid a gate being adapted .toclose said:passageway,`

and separate ice delivered-to saidicinglcomvL partment trom that contained in: said storage `chamber -ior ice, l andfme'ans .actuating vsaid gate.

Anicebox embodyingtherein1suitable Ystorage chambers :tor provisions, -an :icing compartment for maintaining .the desired vlow temperature iirsaid chambers, a storage Achamber 'for ice VofIrelativelylarger capacity than said icing compartment rand "posi- Vtioned IaboveV same, a.partitionbetween said icing compartmentandsaid last named stor- :a'gechamber having a passageway by'which said storage chamber .f't'or ice communicates withfsaid icing compartment, fa slideway.` in said partition, a gate mountediin saidlslideiivay having a bevelledlforward edge, said gate being-"adapted toclose said passageway, and/separate! ice delivered -to. said icing 'compartment from thatlcontained in fsaidstorchamberfor` i'ce,` springs aeting uponisaid -gate to normally closesame, andrmeans actuating said gate.

1l. An ice box embodying therein suitable :storage vchambers k"for provisions, ila'n icing compartment tor i maintaining "the desired 'lowftemperature-in said chambers,:a -storlage chamber fior ice otfr'ela'tively :greater .capacitythan said 'icing compartmentfantl positioned above same, i means irorininga passageway by which .said last named storage chamber communicates with said icing compartment, a slidable gate adapted to close said passageway, and separate ice deq livered to said icing compartment from that contained in said storage chamber for ice, a rack carried by said gate, a pinion meshing with said rack and means exposed exteriorly ot the ice box whereby said pinion may be rotated to either open or close said gate. 4

5. An ice box embodying therein suitable storage chambers for provisions, an icing compartment for maintaining the desired low temperature in said chambers, a storage chamber for ice of relatively greater capacity than said icing compartmentr and positioned above same, a partition between said icing compartment and said Vlast named storage chamber having a passageway by which said storage chamber for ice communicates with said icing compartment, a slide- Way in said partition, a gate mounted in said slideway having a bevelled forward edge, said gate being adapted to close said passageway, and separate ice delivered to said icing compartment from that contained in said storage chamber for ice, springs acting upon said gate to normally close same, a rack carried by said gate, a pinion meshing with said rack and means exposed exkteriorly of the ice box wherebysaid pinion may be rotated to either gate.

l 6. An ice box embodying therein suitable storage chambers for provisions, an icing compartment for maintaining the desired low temperature in said chambers, a storage chamber for ice of relatively greater capacity than said icing compartment and positioned above same, means forming a passageway by which said last named storage chamber communicates with said icing compartment, means forming an inclined bottom to said storage chamber, whereby broken ice is directed towards said passageway, a slidable gate adapted to close said 'passageway, and separate ice delivered to said icing open yor close said compartment from that contained in said storage chamber for ice, and means actuat- -ing said gate.

7. An ice box embodying therein suitable storage chambers for provisions, an icing compartment for maintaining the desired low temperature in said chambers, a storage chamber for ice of relatively greater capac ity than said icing compartment and positioned above same, a partition between said icing compartment and said last named st orage chamber having a passageway by which said storage chamber for ice communicates with said icing compartment, a slideway in said partition, means forming' an inclined bottom to said storage chamber, whereby broken ice is directed towards said passageway, a gate mounted in said slideway havlow temperature in'said chambers, a stor-V age chamber for' ice of relatively greater capacity thanl said icing compartment and positioned above same, a partition between said icing compartment and said last named storage chamber having a passageway by which said storage chamber for icecom municates with said icing compartment, a slideway in said partition, means forming an inclined bottom to said storage chamber for ice, whereby broken ice is directed towards said passageway, a gate mounted in said slideway having a bevelled forward edge, said gate being adapted to close said passageway, and separate ice delivered to said icing compartment from that contained in said storage chamber for ice, springs acting upon said gate to normally close same, a rack carried by said gate, a pinion meshing with said rack and means exposed exteriorly of the ice box whereby said pinion may be rotated to either open or close said gate. Y

In witness whereof I have hereunto aixed my signature this 12th day of April, 1924.

GEORGE L. BENNETT. 

